The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-10-06

g. Stewart, Pennsylvania; John Thacher,
Connecticut; James E. Stewart, Ohio; E.
Henry jerks, Rhode Island. The annual
address of the commander in chief, which is
very long. was then presented.
The general began by sending greetings to tho
people OF the Pacific coast for the hospitality
and cordial reception of last year. He sincerely
United to gather in this great metropolis and
thanked the citizens of st. Louis for their gen.
crous welcome. He was pleased to announce
OF the Grand Army OF the Republic and of the
strong love OF the order entertained by the loyal
people OF this country: That this NAV continue
he earnestly cautioned every member that he
keep watchful guard over himself when he
acts or speaks ~ a member Of the g A. r , and
not unconsc1ously further schemes foreign to
the legitimate purposes of the organization
Article 8. forbidding the use Of the organization
ior partisan purposes had. so far IS ne knew,
beGn strictly in letter and From
that the total number OF members borne
on the rolls Of the order at the last national
e encs " was %. S76. 495; The number re-
in five wears, as, 1877 The increase OF members
in ninety days ending June 80. 1887. in good
standing. was 1876 In 1880 there were Co.
have been mustered into the Grand Army 72,-
355: There were reported June 80, 1897. in
good standing 326, 562: suspended, 26.2 by
borne upon the rolls, 372.674-an increase in
membership that must be gratifying to ali mem
6ers The s smcu9t reporied expended In charity
934.43: This money was disbursed 10 1850
;s:s:a Ss5s. Ss4SS sS
had established the provisional DEPARTMENTS OF
claimed g. 4o6 members: he selected tor special
Tested his love not only in words, but by active
public and private efforts. Did any poor,
the Grand Army need defender, his was the
first name that came to the lips, and he was
never appealed to in vain. The patent for the
Grand Army badge had been duly transferred
Gil of administration has invested $40, 900 of the
surplus funds OF the order in bonds of the United
States.
MEMORIAL DAY
was more generally and appropriately observed
this year than ever before. This day, sacred to
the memory of tho fallen defenders of the re-.
public has become most impressive and iu-
ceived by him from Joseph W. Drexel offering
in perpetuity tho cottage on Mount McGregor IN
which Gen. U. s: Grant spent his last days, to
the country; the only conditions being that the
cottage aud surrounding grounds be held in
trust bv the commander-in-chtef Of the Grand
Mount McGregor Railway company and another
to be named by the donor. Gen. Fairchild
recommended that i be referred to the incoming
on satisfactory arrangements. In September
last, when the citizens of Charleston, 8. c.,
were suffering from the effects OF terrible
lief. He. in company with Adjt. Gen. Gray.
went to the stricken city and called upon the
comrades to raise money for relief. Collections
national headquarters. It was understood that
there was no immediate haste, and before the
collections had gotten fairly under way the
that no further relief would be required Had
the needs Of Charleston required it he felt
assured that 100000 could have been
simultaneously. received the call for aid
and the order to suspend operations. He rec
commended the appointment at once OF q compe-
tent comrade to write history of the orgauiza-
ton. and suggested that the general government
will include in the next dccennial census an
enumeration Of the soldiers Of the late war OF
the rebellion who may be living in 1890. Bel'ev-
Ing that the practice OF moving the national head
quarters to the place where the commander-in-
chief resides is becoming impracticable. owing to
H be
located at some centra! point, and that an as
sistant adju ant general be pull in charge.
IN THE MATTER OF PENSIONS
1t has been an aim OF the order to have congress
grant relief OF the pressing needs Of the COM
fades. The government has responded In many
instances. Influence has been brought to bear
on state legislation, aud state soldiers and or.
Phan homes and laws for temporary relief Of in.
diGent soldiers and their families have been
passed. For this work more than any other has
the Grand Army of the Republic lived-this
more than ell else has ennobled its nfe-for this
purpose the Grand Army will in the future give
IT, earnest endeavors and by reason Of its per-
Grand Army with the approval OF the people in
general. have enlisted in this cause. Men Of ali
shades OF political belief have been foremost in
these efforts, and never until this year has it en-
tered the mind OF any we'll informed man to
charge that this zeal in behalf OF our needy COM
rades WAS OF political partisan character. Tine
(ir3UO ArmV will
that this question OF pensions shall be classed
among those which men commonly call partisan.
IL mas neen Tor MANY years discussed by post,
Department and national encampments Reso-
lutions and addresses have been adopted
and published. petitions ana ap-
ne efforts Of the sent o,
country have been enlisted and with few ex-
ceptlons they have heretofore been in full accord
with the older There has been no change OF
Grand Army members. They have been OF orc
mind in considering it but simple justice that
tho United states should at least grant a pen
sons who served three months or more in the
military ordnance service of the United States
Of 6s s6n and who have
now or who may hereafter be from mental CT
physical disability. not the result Of
t Their own vicious habits, which tncapacitates
tnem Tor the performance OF manual labor. This
mas been publicly advocated. and all men who
cared to know have been fully aware of the ac-
ton, and yet until recently there has been heard
no objection to such measures. Because others
have changed their minds. the Grand Army need
not therefore change theirs. The path In this
direction has been straight. The order has d.
rged neither TO the right nor to the left. Be-
cause the comrades need help the Grand
Army will dra. closer and closer to them.
They shall not be the inmates of the common
pauPer house. nor shall their widows or orphans,
the Grand Army can prevent it. What is
asked now in the way OF general pensions has
been asked for years. 1t is not demanding too
much: Many members are OF the honest opin-
ion that It is not enough, favoring broader
m'asure OF relief. which will embrace all who
served = certain length Of time and can show an
honorable discharge. commonly called the serv-
Ice pension bill. nen Fairchild said he was not
there to argue against that an ultimate meas-
ure. He wished to do nothing to postpone the
coming OF tn. long coming day OF
RELIEF TO THE SUFFERING.
He assured the members Of the Veterans
Rights untun that their kindly lsbors were
fully appreciated and congratulated them on
their marked success in the direction Of tho en-
forcement of laws giving preference for pubic
service 10 ex-Unton soldiers He was pleased to
report benefcent results of the woman's RELIEF
The Zpa1Oua hon ohffu1 cNR